A CPU is a bland looking piece of silicon and various metals. Not much to look at, right? Well, if you’re a geek’s geek, that statement couldn’t be any less true. Truth be told, computer hardware is hot. With that said, take a look at the upcoming Intel Sandy Bridge CPU with all of it’s beauty on display (more or less). Here you can see the result of a higher 2011 pin count over the outgoing king of the hill’s 1366 — a larger, square-ish shape. Specifically, one that will now require two CPU latches/restraints to keep it in place. Yes, it’s big.
The larger size is needed because Intel has gone ahead and implemented plenty of new features directly into the processor chip itself: Integrated graphics unit, PCI-Express controller, and quad-channel memory support. (Yup — Sandy Bridge adopters are going to need lots of new everything…again…)
Being the nerd that I am, fresh off of a recent computer build a couple months back, Sandy Bridge definitely has the potential to win me over. Now we’ll just have to sit back and cross our fingers in hopes that Intel prices these just right. If so, it’ll be time to build another computer.
Any other enthusiasts itching for some new hardware?
For me, nothing is more exciting and interesting than watching AMD’s long-in-development Fusion technology come to market. There tactic of marrying CPU + GPU on a single chip may not be a new idea, but how they’re doing is…
Instead of merely placing a CPU and some barely capable “GPU” on the same slab of silicon, AMD is looking to actually use powerful GPU’s on their Fusion chips. Mind you, the initial target of Fusion is ultra-portables. As such, don’t expect anything crazy like an ATI 5770 crammed onboard.
We’ve still got a long trek until 2011. With that said, the current Fusion demos that have been seen weren’t exactly “worth the hype” of personal accounts are to be taken seriously. Though a few more months in the oven could work wonders.
Look out Intel/Nvidia. Stop inside for a (long) glimpse into the beauty behind AMD’s Fusion…
How thrifty are you? Thrifty enough to recreate a city out of your old junk? This man did just that.
Using old motherboards as his canvas, the city of Helsinki can forever live on in silicon. Using the Google Earth image on the top right in comparison, it’s apparent the creator did a mighty fine job.
[H]ard|OCP > Gizmodo
- December 6, 2009 12:10 pm
Think Christmas is immune from the idiosyncrasies of the geek following? Ha! When is there ever something we can’t mod, hack, or find some way to plaster our digital nature on to? That Christmas tree that you now decorate year after year, almost like a robot, can now be a shinning example of your geeky ways. Put away all of those “other” ornaments (ok, Grandmas special gifted one to you that she gave you on your 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and so on birthdays can stay — but everything else has to go) and instead make your tree into the ultimate geek tree with motherboard ornaments.
If any family member or significant other chastises your choice in non-traditional holiday decor, simply remind them that your motherboard ornaments are recycled meaning the harmful compounds that would leech into the earths fragile crust are instead leeching into your tree. See, saving the planet one ornament at time. How many people can say their ornaments do that? Merry Christmas you big pile of geeks…
**Bigger pictures resting right inside…
Those of you looking forward to a July release for Intel’s Core i5 chips will sadly have to wait a tad bit longer. The reason for the delay according to DigiTimes is a stockpile of old inventory that Intel wants/needs to move before introducing any more new silicon into the market. Translation: “We don’t have anyone to compete with, so, we’ll squeeze every last dollar out of old product that we can…we’re not going anywhere.” Someone, whether it be AMD or some other processor manufacturer needs to put the pedal to the metal and start putting more pressure on Intel. Monopolies and lack of competition are never a good thing for us consumers. Agree?
Source: Engadget, PC Perspective, Image Source
